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RadWagon 4 is an electric utility bike with space for your groceries, cargo and kids [Under Review]

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Rag Wagon 4 hero image
RadWagon 4 has room for all your kids and parcels.
Photo: Erfon Elijah/Cult of Mac

Under Review on The CultCast: Rad Wagon 4 electric utility bike

After a year on the road and almost 600 miles, I’ve gotten to know the RadWagon 4. And no joke, this electric cargo bike played a part in my family deciding to sell our second vehicle.

For the power, price, versatility and build quality, I don’t think there’s a bike on the road that beats the RadWagon. This is the bike I recommend to everyone who wants a way to scoot around without a car, with enough space to carry cargo, one or two kids, packages, groceries or anything in between.

Mac Pro and 3-Pro-Display-XDR workstation is an AV wonderland [Setups]

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A 2019 Mac Pro is the core of this computer setup, along with a 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook (not pictured).
A 2019 Mac Pro is the core of this computer setup, along with a 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook (not pictured).
Photo: Liam Hudson

We can count the number of times we’ve come across a three-Pro Display XDR workstation in our Setups travels on less than one hand — maybe two or three times. And if you throw in a late-model Mac Pro and a pile of great audio-visual gear for professional-level videoconferencing, well, that’s even more rare.

Liam Hudson, CEO of a qualitative electronic trading company, sent his “ultimate computer setup” for at-home work to Cult of Mac. And it’s really something.

Why you won’t want to use iPad as a Home Hub with iOS 16

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You'll still be able to use iPad as a Home Hub when iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 come along, but will you want to?
You'll still be able to use iPad as a Home Hub when iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 come along, but will you want to?
Photo: Apple

The recent news that iPads won’t function as Home Hubs with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 stands corrected. Apple now says they’ll work. But they won’t benefit from any new features in the revamped HomeKit and Home app.

And that’s likely to be a pretty big drawback.

Charge your iPhone up to seven times with this 20,000mAh backup battery

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Charge your iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Apple Watch with this massive portable Apple charger.
Get one backup battery to charge your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Think of the last time your iPhone died in the middle of the day. Whether you were working or simply going about your day, those low battery notifications probably led to some minor inconveniences. You can remedy those concerns with a high-capacity power bank such as this Extreme Boost from Aduro.

Sporting 20,000mAh of capacity, this portable charger lets you fully recharge multiple Apple gadgets at the same time. And you can purchase one for just $32.99 (regularly $89) for a limited time.

Forget blur: How to cover faces and add emoji to photos

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The emoji in this picture are accurate representations of every picture of me until I was about 8. I didn't know how to smile for pictures and I did not care to learn.
The emoji in this picture are accurate representations of every picture of me until I was about 8. I didn't know how to smile for pictures and I did not care to learn.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

There are lots of times when you might want to cover up faces before posting pictures: Teachers often want to censor the faces of their students. Boudoir photographers (Google it) can censor explicit portions of their photography for social media. Foster parents who are legally prohibited from posting identifying pictures of children in their home can quickly cover them up. Forget trying to blur faces — there’s an app that makes covering up faces dead easy: MaskerAid.

If you’ve ever wanted to hide a face before posting a picture, MaskerAid (a pun on “masquerade”) will quickly censor faces with emoji. Unlike apps like Snapchat, MaskerAid will preserve the full quality and resolution of your pictures.

MaskerAid is the latest app by independent podcaster and developer Casey Liss. You can download MaskerAid here on the App Store for iPhone (there is no Android version). The app is free to try out with your own pictures, but to use the full set of emoji, you must pay a one-time purchase of $2.99.

Your partner will love this snore-stopping gadget that connects to your iPhone

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Stop snoring and track your sleep with this iPhone app and gadget combo.
This $99 gadget can stop your snoring and turns your iPhone into a sleep tracker.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Snoring doesn’t slow down time, but anyone sharing a room with a snorer will feel like the night crawled by. It’s downright annoying! Luckily, we might have a way to stop snoring.

The Snore Circle YA4200 is an electronic muscle stimulator that can reduce or completely eliminate your snoring. And for a limited time, it’s on sale for $99.99 (regularly $119).

Park the preschoolers in front of this Apple TV+ Duck & Goose trailer

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Duck and Goose are good friends who know it's OK for friends to be different.
Duck and Goose are good friends who know it's OK for friends to be different.
Photo: Apple TV+

Rejoice, parents. A wholesome new animated series is on the way, and you can feel OK about parking your preschoolers in front of it. Or at least it looks that way from the new Apple TV+ trailer for Duck & Goose, out Tuesday.

The new show for preschool-age kids premieres Friday, July 8.

Judge rules against Apple in ECG suit calling for Apple Watch import ban

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A judge ruled Apple infringed on AliveCor's ECG-related patents.
A judge ruled Apple infringed on AliveCor's ECG-related patents.
Photo: Apple

Personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology maker AliveCor sued Apple last year, claiming the tech giant infringed on patents when developing the heart-health functionality for Apple Watch. AliveCor called for a ban on U.S. imports of the wearable, as well.

Now a judge from the International Trade Commission has supported the claims in an initial ruling.

Sleek Elago MagSafe stands keep your charging iPhone functional

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The Elago MS4 charging stand, shown in silver, is compatible with MagSafe and helps unclutter your cables.
The Elago MS4 charging stand, shown in silver, is compatible with MagSafe and helps unclutter your cables.
Photo: Elago

Elago’s sleek, MagSafe-compatible iPhone charging stands make it easy to keep using your favorite gadget while it rapidly charges, sitting upright on the aluminum stand, easily at hand. Or easily hands-free, as the case may be.

You just quickly install a MagSafe charging puck into the Elago stand. Then it’s perfect for charging your phone while on FaceTime calls or while you’re using it in other ways.

Track wildlife with this nifty new trail camera

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The Keen Ranger PT blends in with the environment.
The Keen Ranger PT blends in with the environment.
Photo: Keen

Security gear provider Reolink launched a new brand, Keen, and a new product Tuesday — the Keen Ranger PT trail camera. With a 360-degree view, 4MP super HD image quality and other features like night vision, hunters, campers, farmers and wildlife enthusiasts are likely to recognize what game they “capture” with it out in the bush.

And for launch you can get 15% off the device’s regular price, plus a chance to win $1,000.

Ugreen T3 ANC wireless earbuds: OK bang for the buck [Review] ★★★☆☆

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The Ugreen T3 HiTune earbuds will get the job done for many folks on a budget.★★★☆☆
The Ugreen T3 HiTune earbuds will get the job done for many folks on a budget.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

In a world awash in earbuds, it’s not easy for lower-end products to keep their heads above water. But some manage to do it through solid overall quality and a good feature spread, like the new Ugreen T3 HiTune ANC Wireless Earbuds.

They’re not going to compete with many products at mid-to-high price points, like AirPods Pro and competitors. But the T3s offer bass to burn, an OK fit and a range of solid features at $40.

What you don’t get is top-notch sound across all frequencies, stellar ANC or a sense of tremendous build quality.

Open your MacBook and learn something you’ll never forget with this Rosetta Stone bundle

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Learn from the comfort of your Macbook with this bundle.
This lifetime learning bundle is like a college catalog on your Mac iPhone.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You’re only done learning when you choose to be. Sure, you might be out of school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t study something exciting and valuable. For instance, how does picking up a new language or hobby sound?

The Unlimited Lifetime Learning Subscription Bundle offers lessons in more than a thousand fun and practical topics you can access from your iPhone or MacBook, and it even comes with lifetime access to language app Rosetta Stone. For a limited time, this colossal learning bundle is on sale for $159.20 (regularly $1,794) with code ROSETTA20.

Get emulators, clipboard history on your iPhone without jailbreaking

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Install the apps Apple doesn’t want on the App Store with AltStore.
Install the apps Apple doesn’t want on the App Store with AltStore.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple bans apps like emulators and clipboard history on your iPhone, but there’s a clever way to sideload these apps without jailbreaking.

The official App Store is the only way Apple wants you to get apps on the iPhone. If there’s an app that doesn’t fit Apple’s strict rules, it doesn’t get on the App Store at all.

Apple strictly forbids a few categories of apps. Emulators — apps that play games from old consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System and GameBoy — are prohibited. Porn is not allowed either. System-wide features like clipboard managers — which are very popular and even downloadable on the Mac App Store — are not allowed on the iPhone. (My favorite is Maccy.)

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get these types of apps, though. You can install an alternative App Store for iPhone called AltStore right now with the help of a Mac or PC. With AltStore, you can install verboten apps like emulators and clipboard history without jailbreaking your iPhone.

Build a professional-quality website without even opening your Mac

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What's better than a website that works for iOS and Mac? One you didn't have to make.
A quick call from your iPhone could set you up with an awesome new website for just $99.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Your business may need a website, but that doesn’t mean you should have to learn how to build one from scratch. You might think of skipping the website altogether, but you shouldn’t: Around 56% of consumers don’t trust businesses without a website.

Earning potential customers’ trust doesn’t need to be difficult, though. If you want to start up a website without the pain of learning new software, UENI can handle the logistics for you. That way, you can sit back while your custom site is made to your specifications. And, for a limited time, lifetime subscriptions to UENI are on sale for $99 (regularly $599).

After Loot debut, Apple calls dibs on new shows from Maya Rudolph’s company

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Maya Rudolph stars in
Maya Rudolph stars in "Loot" on Apple TV+, and her production company now has a first-look deal with Cupertino.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ struck a first-look deal with Maya Rudolph’s production company after last week’s premiere of her comedy series Loot.

That means Rudolph’s company, Animal Pictures, will show what it’s working on to Apple first, before shopping it around to other buyers.

Next Apple Music Live show features rapper Lil Durk

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The Chicago DJ Lil Durk performs live on Wednesday.
The Chicago DJ Lil Durk performs live on Wednesday.
Photo: Apple Music

After Harry Styles kicked off the return of the Apple Music Live series, Chicago rapper Lil Durk continues it. His live concert streams Wednesday.

The rapper’s show takes place in Los Angeles, but Apple’s streaming series lets you watch and listen to it anywhere.

Show your pride year-round with rainbow Apple Watch bands and more

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Rainbow nylon Apple Watch bands are great for Pride and for workouts.
Rainbow nylon Apple Watch bands are great for Pride and for workouts. Shown: BluShark AlphaPremier.
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

LGBTQI Pride Month may be drawing to a close on Thursday, but you can wear your pride on your sleeve or elsewhere all year long if you want — thanks to rainbow-themed Apple accessories in the Cult of Mac Store’s Pride collection.

In addition to several colorful watch bands discussed below, you can find a rainbow lanyard with a shock-proof iPhone case and a rainbow polka-dot MacBook Pro case.

Apple Pay gets close to letting you chop up your credit cards

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Apple Pay gets close to letting you chop up your credit cards
You might be surprised how many businesses let you pay with your iPhone.
Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

After a mishap, I recently had to go on vacation without a credit card. I was ready with cash but it never mattered – to my surprise, wireless payments and Apple Pay let my iPhone make all the purchases I needed.

It’s clear we’re really not far away from physical credit cards becoming obsolete. That’ll be one less hassle in our lives.

Designer’s MacBook Pro-driven office swims in Apple collectibles [Setups]

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A MacBook Pro and a 4K LG display anchor Smelker's setup.
A MacBook Pro and a 4K LG display anchor Smelker's setup.
Photo: Terry Smelker

Graphic designer and illustrator Terry Smelker’s workstation includes many interesting elements, like a specialized drawing tablet and a multimedia controller he uses along with his tricked-out MacBook Pro. But even if you’re not curious about his setup proper, get a load of that Apple gear collection! Fortunately, he provided plenty of photographs.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of Apple’s design aesthetic,” he told Cult of Mac. And that started him on his collection of vintage Apple products, which complements the rest of his gear.

Transform your iPhone into a full-featured document scanner

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Turn your iPhone into your own personal scanner with this app.
Whether you want to scan documents or run complex calculations, your iPhone can do it all with this app.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Sometimes it feels as though office equipment can sense when you’re in a hurry. You need a digital copy of a document, and your scanner picks that time to scan only a quarter page or reduce your print’s shading to the point that it looks like a ghost.

When you need a high-quality scan, fussing with hardware is probably the last thing you want to deal with. But what if you could scan documents using your iPhone? iScanner does just that, turning your trusty smartphone into a full-featured document scanner that’s easy to use and produces crystal-clear results.

Plus, lifetime iScanner subscriptions are available for just $39.99 (regularly $199) for a limited time.

Combo cable charges Apple Watch and 3 more devices at once

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This 4-port charger is great 4 travelers.
If you own more than one smart device, check out this four-way cable with Apple Watch, Lightning, USB-C and Micro USB connections.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Imagine you’re having an incredible time traveling abroad. After a night in yet another lovely hotel, you grab your iPhone, put on your Apple Watch, throw your iPad into a bag, and you’re off.

But if you forget even one of the chargers or cables for those devices, the rest of your trip will be wildly inconvenient (at least until you make it to an overpriced travel store). So streamline while you can. Carry one powerful charger for all your devices. Then get a 4-in-1 cable to connect them all to it.

Plus, get that four-way cable while it’s on sale for $17.99 (regularly $34), and you can spend your savings on a couple of chocolate croissants and some fine European coffee.

Why you’d be crazy to buy the new MacBook Pro [The CultCast]

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The CultCast 550 Apple podcast: There are very few reasons why anybody should buy the new MacBook Pro.
There are very few reasons why anybody should buy the new MacBook Pro.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first reviews for the new M2 MacBook Pro are … not good.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Benchmarks for Apple’s new M2 chip continue to impress, but you can expect even more amazing performance boosts later this year.
  • What the upcoming CarPlay update is really about.
  • Apple TV+ has another hit on its hands with For All Mankind.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.

Our sponsor: CleanMyMac X

CleanMyMac X, from Ukrainian developer MacPaw, is a decluttering app for Mac that can keep your computer in tip-top shape. It includes 49 tools to find and delete invisible junk clogging your hard drive. Cult of Mac publisher Leander Kahney swears by CleanMyMac X (instead of swearing at it, as he does with most apps).

Get CleanMyMac X today with 5% off at macpaw.app/cultcast. Discount valid until June 30.

Future STEM kids will love this Raspberry Pi computer

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Don't want your kids to break your MacBook? They can tear this apart instead.
Get your kid a toy as smart as they are.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

You probably don’t want to come home to find your precious little one has torn open your MacBook, even in the name of learning. They might discover what a circuit board looks like, but at what cost?

That’s why you should foster your child’s STEM interest in a way that keeps your electronics off the chopping block. The CrowPi2 offers a fantastic starting point for kids who want something to tinker with. Plus, it’s on sale for $319.99 (regularly $329).

Exclusive mockups: Apple Watch Explorer Edition looks rugged and sporty

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A sporty new Apple Watch model could debut this fall
A sporty new Apple Watch model could debut this fall
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Rumors of an Apple Watch Explorer Edition started last year, when Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple was working on ruggedized smartwatch designed specifically for athletes. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, from TF International Securities, added fuel to the fire last December, claiming that an “extreme sports version” could debut in 2022.

This month at WWDC, Apple’s focus on new fitness features for watchOS 9 lent further credence to these rumors. As a fitness-fanatic myself, all this hype has got me pretty excited. It inspired me to create these Photoshop mockups, exclusively for Cult of Mac, to explore exactly what the Explorer Edition might look like.